Union Street in Inverness was closed for just over an hour following the incident. The incident took place on Union Street at around 3.15pm on Saturday, May 3. Emergency services attended the scene, and the road was closed to ensure the area was safe before being reopened again just over an hour later. Two men, aged 38 and 24, and a 24-year-old woman were arrested in connection and have since been charged with reckless conduct. The trio are expected to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court at a later date. A spokesperson for the force said: “At around 3.15pm on Saturday, we received a report of masonry having fallen from a building on Union Road, Inverness. “Emergency services attended and the road was closed for the area to be made safe. There were no reported injuries. “Two men, aged 38 and 24, and one woman, aged 24, have been arrested and charged in connection with reckless conduct. “They are due to appear at Inverness Sheriff at a later date.” STV News is now on WhatsAppGet all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Follow STV News on WhatsAppScan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country '+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text+' "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title+" "+scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text+" Three people have been arrested and charged following a fallen masonry incident at the heart of Inverness Officers and firefighters were called to Union Street after masonry fell outside the Harry Gow Bakery around 3:15pm on Saturday The busy street was cordoned off for an hour while firefighters assessed the stability of the stonework of the building Police have confirmed that two men and a 24-year-old woman have been arrested and charged in connection with “reckless conduct.” They are expected to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court at a later date A police spokeswoman said: “Around 3.15pm on Saturday we received a report of masonry having fallen from a building on Union Road “Emergency services attended and the road was closed for the area to be made safe have been arrested and charged in connection with reckless conduct Comments are currently disabled as they require cookies and it appears you've opted out of cookies on this site. To participate in the conversation, please adjust your cookie preferences in order to enable comments Home   News   Article Three people have been arrested and charged after heavy masonry fell and smashed onto a busy Inverness city centre street The two men and a woman will appear at Inverness Sheriff Court later this month Union Street was cordoned off and closed to traffic and pedestrians for over an hour as police and firefighters responded to the emergency call at 3.15 pm on Saturday (May 3) There were no reports of injuries after the chunk of rooftop stonework plunged onto the street from above the Harry Gow bakery and the Old Royal Buildings Witnesses on social media said it was fortunate nobody was hurt A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: "Around 3.15pm on Saturday "Emergency services attended and the road was closed for the area to be made safe “They are due to appear at Inverness Sheriff at a later date." A Livingston man has appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court charged with driving a car into a seafood shop at the city’s Fairways Business Park in March and setting it and several neighbouring premises ablaze Jack Ventham (34) appeared from custody today after his arrest at the weekend and did not apply for bail when his case called before Sheriff Gary Aitken at Inverness Sheriff Court More court news Crime news Ventham made no plea and was committed for further examination that he reset a vehicle at various locations in Inverness as well as at Perth BP station and McDonald's in Livingston the vehicle having been dishonestly appropriated by unknown means He was further charged that at Scottish Premium Seafood wilfully set fire to the premises whereby he reversed a vehicle into the premises and thereafter the vehicle and premises did ignite and the fire took effect on it and other premises Ventham is due to reappear in court within the next eight days A man has appeared in court accused of starting the devastating Fairways Business Park fire in Inverness was arrested in Livingston at the weekend and appeared in private at Inverness Sheriff Court today It comes almost two months after a fire destroyed four units on March 9 this year Police Scotland launched an investigation after a “balaclava-clad” male was seen running away from the business park after a vehicle was “deliberately” driven into one of the units Four businesses – Harry Gow Bakery, the SJ Travel Centre, fishmongers Scottish Premium Seafood and hairdresser HFM – were destroyed in the fire. Damage was also caused to the entranceway of Inverness’s Kart Raceway Ventham appeared from custody after his arrest and did not apply for bail when his case called before Sheriff Gary Aitken today He is accused of resetting a 2018 grey Range Rover Evoque that was dishonestly appropriated by unknown means on February 24 this year from Cresswell Street He is also accused of wilfully setting first to the Scottish Premium Seafood unit at the business park while acting in the company of another person The charge states he reversed a vehicle into the premises and thereafter Ventham will next appear in court within eight days and bail may be considered further enquiries are being made into the incident said: “As the investigation into this fire continues we would like to thank the local community for their co-operation and support while we carry out our enquiries.” Six fire crews were sent to the scene and battled the “well-developed” fire for hours A BROTHER who assaulted his sister has been given unpaid work was found guilty by a jury at Inverness Sheriff Court last month pinned her to the ground and placed his hands around her neck Sheriff David Harvie ordered him to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work within four months • Inverness man jailed for mugging teenager • Man fined after threatening Dingwall SNP office with AK47s • Son accused of throwing candle at mother’s face in North Kessock A man has been jailed after a struggle with police and security officers on Inverness’ High Street Scott Mackay was restrained following a disturbance involving another individual on the city centre thoroughfare He spat in the face of one of the security staff and made repeated attempts to bite and headbutt admitted charges of threatening or abusive behaviour assault and resisting or obstructing officers during the incident last month Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told Inverness Sheriff Court it was around 2.45pm on April 17 that police were informed of a disturbance on the High Street involving Mackay running around and shouting The incident was also shared over Shop Safe radio and security officers from the city’s BID team attended the area As they arrived they saw Mackay “fighting with another man and causing a disturbance” The court was shown CCTV of the pair attempting to stop Mackay in the street – but he quickly became violent trying to strike them with his head and aiming punches at the workers He attempted to bite the witness and then spat at him Mackay was taken to the ground and restrained by the security staff and police officers who had arrived on the scene Mackay made repeated attempts to bite as well as threats to headbutt at one point striking his own head against the pavement he stated to police officers that he would “bite their noses off” and claimed to one officer he had slept with his mother “12 times on Sunday” told the court that the disturbance that preceded the incident had resulted in “blows struck was approached by the security staff he had been “finding it difficult to focus his eyes” and was therefore unaware of who they were He said: “It began with two gentlemen coming up behind him and grabbing hold of him – at that stage Mr Mackay was walking away from the incident involving the other party he might not have reacted the way he did” Mr O’Dea told the sheriff: “He does accept that his behaviour was inappropriate – he does regret it.” Mackay was also sentenced for a previous incident where he assaulted city centre security staff and acted in a threatening manner after being caught shoplifting A drug treatment and testing order had previously been imposed by Mackay had failed to engage the court was told “He now finds himself before the court with an unenviable record and fresh offending,” Mr O’Dea conceded He said: “He wishes to sincerely apologise to the court and to the people involved – to the police officers and the two security operatives.” who appeared via videolink from custody: “I see no alternative but to impose a custodial sentence,” adding: “Spitting in somebody’s face – that has to attract a severe punishment.” Inverness Sheriff Court saw a huge mix of criminal business in the past week Here's our recap of some of the cases that made the headlines ‘Scouse Jack’ drugs gang member jailed for supplying heroin and cocaine to Inverness A member of an organised north of England crime group known as 'Scouse Jack' which has been flooding the Highlands with strong drugs since September 2019 has been jailed for 43 months at Inverness Sheriff Court Two others including a vulnerable Inverness man who was recruited by the gang to help them sell drugs and gather payment in the Highlands have already been sentenced after pleading guilty to being concerned in the supply of drugs Read more here Man fined after threatening Dingwall SNP office with AK47s Staff at a politician's office were terrified when an angry voter threatened to use AK47s The alarming incident happened on March 24 2024 in the SNP constituency office in Dingwall after 56-year-old Iain McIntosh of Glenisla Foyers had phoned the premises wishing to bring in documents for their attention Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told Inverness Sheriff Court said that McIntosh handed over a letter of complaint about some court proceedings and "as he was preparing to leave Read more here Former Inverness church relief organist sentenced for having photos of undressed girls A former Inverness church relief organist who was twice jailed for possessing vast amounts of indecent images and videos of children being abused has avoided a prison sentence after admitting having photos of young undressed girls displayed on a shelf in his bedroom Inverness but who formerly stayed in Tain's Mansfield Estate previously appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court and pleaded guilty to possessing a total of 15 printed photos on January 10 last year Read more here Jail for man who spat and attempted to headbutt Inverness security workers An Inverness man has been handed a prison sentence after assaulting security officers in the city centre Scott Mackay (36) was involved in an incident on April 17 when Inverness BID security workers approached him on Inverness High Street CCTV footage shown at Inverness Sheriff Court showed Mackay struggling with the security officers before police arrived It took more than six police officers to restrain him Read more here A teenager out walking with his girlfriend was mugged and robbed of £100 by his attacker whom he knew Inverness Sheriff Court heard that 21-year-old William Williamson put his hands round his victim's neck and punched him before taking the money and saying: "Give me all you have got." Williamson admitted the assault and robbery which took place in an alleyway behind The Green House in Beechwood Business Park on October 27 Read more here Home   Sport   Article Ben Brannan says balancing being on loan at Inverness Caledonian Thistle along with helping Kilmarnock win the Scottish Youth Cup has been beneficial for his development as a player The 18-year-old arrived on loan at Inverness in February from Killie and has played a big part in helping the club secure their League One status he was also captain of the Kilmarnock Under-18 team which won the Scottish Youth Cup last Wednesday when they defeated Dundee 2-0 at Hampden In addition earlier this week, he signed a new deal with Kilmarnock to keep him at the club until the end of next season Leading Kilmarnock to Scottish Youth Cup glory along with looking to help Inverness avoid relegation to League Two was a lot of responsibility to place on such young shoulders But Brannan says having the chance to impress with both clubs this season was something he relished and will hope it has made him a better player He said: “I feel both clubs have communicated really well which has made it easy for me “I have just been told what to do on certain days and I have done it The drive is a bit long between Kilmarnock and Inverness I went in and asked the manager if I could get a loan and to be honest I wasn’t expecting much interest But obviously Inverness came in and I was delighted I spoke to the manager Scott Kellacher and he told me that I would play every minute he kept his word as I did and I have really enjoyed it.” In total, Brannan played 11 matches for Inverness during his time on loan and he scored once, which was the opener in the 4-1 win against Stenhousemuir in March The teenager says it was a huge step-up playing senior football for the first time but feels he has grown mentally as a result “It hasn’t been about just learning things I think that I have become more mature too “You have to pick and choose your battles as I was up against grown men for the first time “So it has been about knowing when to stand off waiting patiently and choosing the right time It is about knowing when to look to get myself forward and showing what I can do.” Brannan had played four games in the last two weeks between Inverness and Kilmarnock he captained Kilmarnock to victory in a 2-0 win over Dundee in the Scottish Youth Cup at Hampden Park in Glasgow He said lifting a trophy at the national stadium was a dream come true especially with all the boys and all the first team and manager watching “We went out to try and press and winning the cup being up on the podium and lifting the trophy in front of the fans was a brilliant feeling “Walking out to Hampden and seeing everyone I knew in the seats was a nice feeling.” Brannan played his final game for Inverness on Saturday, defeating Montrose 2-0 at Links Park which saw the club finish the campaign in seventh place It has been a tough season for Inverness, with a 15-point deduction in October after going into administration Brannan says he was full of praise for his teammates at Inverness who have had to deal with the situation throughout the entire season He said for the club to avoid relegation with a 15-point deduction was an incredible accomplishment He was pleased that he could play his part in making that happen He said: “I only joined a couple of months ago so didn’t experience the full season to realise how harsh it has been on the boys they have not looked at this season as a problem they looked at it as motivation and just kept going.” Brannan says he will now look to take what he has learned at Inverness back to Kilmarnock and look to push forward with his football career keep pushing and hopefully I can impress at Kilmarnock.” Caley Thistle will kick off next season as a League One club – after administration and a 15-point hit failed to prevent their survival With hopes high former chairman Alan Savage will become the outright owner later this month there are now fresh fan hopes for ICT’s future Manager Scott Kellacher and captain Danny Devine have already spoken of going for the title in 2026 despite a five-point deduction before a ball is booted In our final Fans’ Panel of the season, regular fan Euan Bain joins The Wyness Shuffle’s Stevie Riley to answer our three key questions This has to be one of the greatest achievements in the club’s history to come back from the massive points deduction and not only drag ourselves out of the relegation zone The team performed brilliantly ever since Scott Kellacher took over in October. We have looked to attack and win games which gives the fans a look into how a team built by him will play next season There have been some brilliant individual displays throughout but overall every one put in the effort and that is what pulled us over the line Stevie Riley: It’s been a massive achievement finishing seventh in League One The team have shown a real togetherness and have put the off-field issues to the back of their minds on a Saturday afternoon which couldn’t have been easy management staff and everyone behind the scenes at the club should all feel very proud of what we have achieved this season – and I thank them all EB: My player of the season is Charlie Gilmour as he is absolutely crucial to how we play football bringing the ball from our defence forward In the few games he has missed ever since he joined He goes under the radar sometimes because he does not score a lot but watching him shows you why he definitely deserves the praise SR: There are a few candidates like Keith Bray who’s been superb in midfield and has turned into a leader in the dressing room EB: I hope we can keep the team together first and foremost so we shall see who we can keep and maybe get some of the loan players back then I will make my true predictions… But currently I am hoping for a “minus-five and we’ve won the league chant” SR: We need to be challenging for the title or at least promotion back to the Championship and with business off the pitch looking far healthier that creates a happier environment to work in but we will be an attractive option for a lot of players – especially hungry young ones who want to prove a point and show what they can do I hope we utilise Scott Kellacher’s contacts again next year because the players he’s brought in have all contributed to our success this season For more Caley Thistle news and updates visit our dedicated page and join our Facebook group Inverness Caledonian Thistle's walking footballers marked the 10th anniversary of their weekly sessions when two of the original attendees were at the centre of the celebration Kenny Mackenzie (82) and Davy Murray (79) were among the 10 players in 2015 who attended the launch of walking football at a two-hour session at the Hilton Community Centre when ICT stars Marley Watkins and Danny Devine took part to offer encouragement Both Mackenzie and Murray still attend the weekly sessions now held at the Highland Rugby Club's all weather pitch at the Bught Park and jointly cut a celebratory cake to mark the milestone regularly attract more than 20 attendees with many meeting afterwards for a cup of tea or coffee ICT Community Development Manager Craig Masterton said: "Improving mental and physical health is one of the main aims of Walking Football and Kenny and Davy are great examples of the benefits of the “slower version of the beautiful game” the former chairman of the Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland's Inverness Bravehearts underwent a triple by-pass operation in 2008 and Walking Football proved a rewarding part of his rehabilitation He said: “I greatly look forward to our Thursday walking football sessions They are really well organised by the Community Development Team such as no running and that the game is played in the proper spirit." Mackenzie was skipper of the Inverness Caledonian Thistle Walking Football Team that won the Fair Play Award at the Walking Football Scotland annual Scottish Cup and Festival held at Glasgow Green Murray is a retired newspaper photographer who kept fit by attending swimming sessions at Culloden Academy when he was advised by his friend and fellow swimming enthusiast John Laird of the walking football to be run by the ICT Community Development Team Both have remained active members of the sessions He said: "It’s a good fun way to exercise and socialise and I really enjoy the camaraderie of the Thursday sessions A wilful fire was set outside an Inverness flat last weekend The incident happened at around 11.50pm on Saturday (May 3) on Leyton Drive in the Hilton area Detective Constable Chris Macaulay said: “Luckily the fire was extinguished quickly and no-one was injured however the consequences of this reckless act could have been much more serious · READ: Inverness Fairways Business Park fire - man charged · More crime news “Our enquiries are ongoing to establish more information and I would urge anyone who was in the Leyton Drive area around the time of the fire who witnessed anything suspicious to please contact us “I would also ask anyone with personal footage or drivers with dashcam from the area to review their recordings and get in touch if it holds anything that could be relevant.” Any information should be passed to 101 quoting incident number 0158 of 4 May Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111 Rail travellers between Inverness and Elgin are facing chaos today through cancelled services A fault on the ScotRail train serving the route in both directions has led to major disruption with the cancellation of five services ScotRail has apologised to customers and says it has arranged for those affected to travel on Stagecoach North buses between Inverness and Elgin at no extra cost Those wishing to use the alternative service should show a valid ticket or Smartcard to the driver on request The 11.44 and 13:30 departures from Inverness to Elgin calling at Inverness Airport 12:36 and 14:25 departures from Elgin to Inverness The rail operator expects its late afternoon and evening services on the route to run as normal Other services between Inverness and Aberdeen are not affected Latest on rail services can be found here at National Rail. AN Isle of Skye man who went drinking in Inverness with his boss abandoned his car in the middle of a busy road near Maryburgh without any lights left on to alert other motorists of the hazard Inverness Sheriff Court heard that two police motorcyclists were on their way back to Dingwall along the A835 near Maryburgh on March 1 this year when they came across the Audi A4 with the keys still in the ignition Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood said that the driver 26-year-old Joseph Stewart of Old School Square Harrapool was later traced and charged with drunk driving and causing the risk of a collision and injury by leaving the car in the middle of a road He admitted having 53mcgs of alcohol in his system when the legal limit is 22mcgs and pleaded guilty to the other offence Roger Webb told Sheriff Gary Aitken: "He has messed up his life but is the author of his own misfortune He went to Inverness for a drink with his employer and was on his way back." Stewart was fined £640 but as he is currently serving a prison sentence for another offence Sheriff Aitken gave no time to pay and the alternative of 28 days was imposed Stewart was also banned from driving for a year but was certified as suitable for the drink driver rehabilitation course will earn him a three month discount on the ban AN estate agent in Inverness has stopped providing letting services due to the lack of long term rentals available in the city Home Sweet Home Estate Agents had been providing long-term rental services for tenants and landlords alongside selling homes however after countless issues it decided it could no longer continue Inverness and surrounding areas have seen a decline in availability of long-term rental properties over several years with an average of just seven available at any one time More and more landlords, it appears, are choosing to sell properties and move to short-term letting instead due to legislative changes making involvement in the sector more difficult said: “We sold the lettings side of the business a few months ago “The main reasons for this were that it was increasingly difficult to manage the constant changes and pressure on landlords from the government in areas such as tax and legislation “We made the decision that staying in the long term lettings market was not sustainable either from a financial or mental wellbeing point of view at the increased expectations on them from the government and lack of control over their own properties and tenants who were angry at not being able to find properties “Every day was awful and at the route of it is the lack of help from the government to support landlords or help make more stock available for tenants to ease pressure on the private rental sector “More and more landlords are selling due to the changes meaning that there is less stock in the market “We list numerous empty ex-rental properties for sale each month and due to the increase in second home tax to eight per cent we are seeing lower new long-term investors buying than ever before meaning these properties are not being bought to go back in to rental stock.” She said they still have people approaching on a daily basis Macleod and MacCallum Estate Agents have seen similar issues Lettings department manager Sarah-Anne Gow said: “The rental market in Inverness remains extremely busy whilst supply outweighs demand “Due to landlords exiting the private rented sector we have seen a downturn in the number of rental properties coming to the market this along with the additional costs to landlords and the higher rate of Additional Dwelling Supplement for clients looking to buy rental properties to enter the market have had an impact in higher rental prices in the area “There is high demand for long term rental properties in the area Inverness and Nairn MSP Fergus Ewing said he is aware of the issues from contacts with constituents caught up on both sides “I share concerns that the restrictions on landlords have driven some out of the market and forced them to sell up,” he said “The tax on buying a flat for let is now enormous - with the additional charge on top of the ordinary rate of land and building tax ( formerly stamp duty) at eight per cent “This is preventing new landlords coming into the market “There needs to be a fair balance between the tenant and the landlord The higher tax and over-regulation have led to an exodus of landlords A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “A fairer well-managed private rented sector is in the interest of both tenants and responsible landlords “Our Housing Bill includes a package of important reforms to the rented sector landlords and investors to ensure the measures in the Bill will support our vision for improving the supply and affordability of high-quality rented housing in Scotland.” Matthew Green contemplated taking his own life To the former Inverness electrician's eternal gratitude Battered and broken by physical and emotional challenges he found he no longer wanted to occupy the body ravaged by debilitating illness his courage and the love of those who rallied around in his time of greatest need that Matthew could proudly parade that body before a sold-out audience at Perth Concert Hall In defiance of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and its crippling symptoms those black thoughts have given way to bright stage lights the 34-year-old dad of two is now a medal-winning bodybuilder - and inspiring a worldwide following An incredible 9.4 million viewers turned a video of his first foray into competitive bodybuilding viral last month WATCH: MATTHEW GREEN’S MEDAL-WINNING PERFORMANCE HAS ATTRACTED WELL OVER 9 MILLION VIEWS: Such is the scale of interest at home and abroad Matthew has taken to using Google translate to respond to all of his fan mail The Forge Gym member travelled to Perth last month with modest expectations to compete in the disability class a “suck it and see” try out at Scotland’s biggest ever bodybuilding competition He returned triumphantly with a silver medal and is now planning a determined drive to achieve gold at a variety of events in 2026 Matthew’s relapsing-remitting form of MS remains challenging with wheelchair use a necessity and profound weakness down one side But a new drug called Ocrevus has stabilised symptoms but through hard graft and courage he is refusing to let the disease define him my mum Sheila passed away in 2011 and then a year later I was diagnosed with MS Rachel who is 14 and Ellie who is six - my biggest fan who comes to the gym with me - have given me the fight to carry on My girlfriend Alissa has been such a massive support to me in turning my life around as has the bodybuilding community around The Forge She noticed changes in me like my arms and chest getting bigger and harder and my confidence grew “I started to feel able to use the gym’s posing mirrors and then eventually I made the decision - ‘let’s do this’ “It has taken me changing to a mindset of ‘work with what you’ve got’ I even have ‘Mind Over Matter’ tattooed on my wrist “I basically kept my head in the game and progressed I decided to go for it - to put myself out there and go on stage.” It is hard for Matthew to describe to anyone fortunate enough not to have suffered MS just what he goes through on a daily basis Our video of him climbing and descending the stairs “I have to think a lot about my right side “I knew a couple of people whose family members were diagnosed with MS and I was always told ‘use it in which case you will deteriorate a lot faster Matthew has developed a whole range of skills and techniques to complete what most would see as straightforward everyday tasks even learning to write again with his unfamiliar left hand The gradual deterioration and strain almost got him but sheer grit and determination won through WATCH: MATTHEW GREEN’S COURAGE IN DEFYING MS IS INSPIRING MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ALL AROUND THE WORLD: it did take a while to get my head around it all “I took lots of different medications - some worked “My right side does do stuff and I work it but I can’t hold something steady with my right hand “I have to really think about standing and moving “I joined the gym about two and a half to three years ago “I was working out in PT sessions with a guy George Rae the encouragement I got in the gym environment made me sign up - and I’ve not left but religiously have Saturdays and Sundays off unless I’ve missed a session through the week I can predict when I’m going to get overwhelmed or suffer a slight flare-up Your brain is not wired the same way and I find music calms me down undoubtedly helped Matthew focus at a packed Perth Concert Hall “I entered very much just to see if it was something I liked and wanted to pursue,” he said “I went through three months of preparation consuming just over 1000 calories a day so my skin elasticated to my frame and showed off all the wee contours “They tried to get me to do my routine first and I declined saying it was my first time and I’d never even seen a routine on stage before “The place was packed when I went on stage All I had in the back of my head was my personal trainer saying ‘you’ve done the hard bit “So that’s what I did- and I actually had good fun up on stage I’m getting messages I can only read and reply to with Google Translate “My motto is now ‘what’s your excuse?’ because every five or six comments there is only someone that says ‘I have no excuse “I did the stage stuff in a wheelchair and lots of people have commented about how my legs have more definition than theirs “People give themselves excuses not to go to the gym your new go-to podcast to spice up your weekday mornings with relevant news and behind-the-scenes from Brussels and beyond From the economy to the climate and the EU's role in world affairs this talk show sheds light on European affairs and the issues that impact on our daily lives as Europeans Tune in to understand the ins and outs of European politics Dare to imagine the future with business and tech visionaries Deep dive conversations with business leaders Euronews Tech Talks goes beyond discussions to explore the impact of new technologies on our lives the podcast provides valuable insights into the intersection of technology and society Europe's water is under increasing pressure floods are taking their toll on our drinking water Join us on a journey around Europe to see why protecting ecosystems matters and to discover some of the best water solutions an animated explainer series and live debate - find out why Water Matters We give you the latest climate facts from the world’s leading source analyse the trends and explain how our planet is changing We meet the experts on the front line of climate change who explore new strategies to mitigate and adapt As we crossed the Keswick Bridge into the rolling hills outside Inverness green fields of early-spring barley still had months to grow until harvest The grain will be sent to a nearby malting factory and eventually made into whisky at some of Scotland’s 150-plus distilleries Interspersed among the barley fields were yellow rows of flowering rapeseed and herds of grazing sheep that seemed to outnumber people It was a tableau I thought would have been the same for a thousand years But rapeseed only started to be planted in the 1970s and at one point there were a lot more people than sheep During the tumultuous hundred years of the Highland Clearance landowners kicked out most of the tenants and replaced them with sheep which were more valuable to them than people the British government were fighting all over the world and they needed wool for uniforms and meat for their soldiers,” she said The history lesson resonated because it was obvious throughout my week in Scotland that the past is very much present But Inverness and its environs are hardly stuck in the past Inverness is the gateway to the Highlands, a rugged one of the fastest-growing in the United Kingdom is best known as the jumping-off point for mystical monster hunters attracted by the legend of Loch Ness it’s carving out an international identity beyond whisky The centre of town can be crossed on foot in a leisurely 15 minutes the red sandstone Inverness Castle was covered in scaffolding when I visited this spring A renovation to turn it into an interactive attraction focused on stories of the Highlands is expected to finish this year Right in the centre is the recently refurbished Victorian Market a once bustling hall that was on the verge of closing anyway when the COVID lockdown arrived Town leaders took advantage of the moment to breathe new life into it The market now includes a mix of craft stores barbers and one remaining butcher (try their meat pies which Findlay said are better than homemade) The seafood market was replaced with a lively food hall with the acclaimed Bad Girls Bakery as its first tenant Following soon were innovative but affordable seafood at The Redshank there is live music every day and 75,000 people pass through the market during busier weeks — nearly the size of the population of the entire city and now it’s the beating heart of the town,” Findlay said The Walrus and Corkscrew opened soon after as the town’s only wine bar wood-fired pizzas come paired with one of 24 organic beers that the owners brew on their own farm just outside town the Downright Gabbler guesthouse has four suites and a full-time storyteller Garry Coutts and his wife, Jane Cumming, opened with a small dining room and their daughter Kristy as chef. It’s not a restaurant, exactly, but they hold several themed events each week that combine Coutts’ encyclopedic knowledge of Scottish history and legend with their daughter’s modern take on traditional dishes Among the events is the regularly held Highland Banquet six courses that trace the region’s people from prehistory to modern times Venison carpaccio with pickled blackberries although Coutts noted they ate much more seafood and foraged vegetables than deer “They’re very difficult to catch,” Coutts quipped The courses unfolded with stories peppered throughout, ranging from some illegal origins of Johnnie Walker’s whisky blends to the couple’s distaste for Las Vegas each printed with the name of a prominent Scot to be drawn at random for a story told on the fly who likely holds the record for having the most challenges from competitors for patent infringement “It’s amazing the number of Americans that come in here and tell me he’s not Scottish,” he said Where to stay: Lodgings include the Ness Walk Hotel five-star property a 20-minute walk from the centre three-star option within a 10-minute walk of Church Street Performers attract crowds at Hootananny and The Highlander every night stop into The Malt Room for a whisky flight chosen from their list of 350 single malts You can find more information on visitscotland.com A way of passing the time during a hospital stay turned into a major charity fundraiser for one Inverness youngster who was born with a congenital heart defect is supported by the CHAS (Children’s Hospice Association Scotland) Home Team in the Highlands but also spent time in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary ‘Excellent’ evaluation for SNAP Inverness Education news Nairnshire news It was while he was there that he and mum Claire Munro started making keyrings together as a creative way to pass the time A spokesperson for CHAS said: “What began as a fun distraction continued at home and with the encouragement of friends and family Harry has been selling his ‘Helping Hands’ keyrings at school fayres and at Christmas events.” being split evenly between CHAS and SNAP (Special Needs Action Project) based in Inverness and providing a variety of services for children and young adults with additional needs Claire said: “We started making the keyrings almost as creative therapy for both of us “Harry enjoyed both making and selling them and we’re delighted with the total raised.” The spokesperson for CHAS added: “Huge thanks to Harry Claire and everyone who supported this brilliant idea You're helping us reach more children and families across the Highlands and beyond.” Harry and his family are regularly supported by the Highlands CHAS at Home Nursing Team who provide respite take Harry and his siblings on outings and help the family to make memories An Inverness supermarket has re-opened more than 24 hours after flooding through the ceiling forced closure. The Co-op on Church Street in the city centre suffered the water damage on Saturday morning with customers arriving to find a shuttered shop with a sign informing them of the leakage After remedial work through the night and today the store was deemed fit to open its doors again A spokesman for the Co-op said: “We’re delighted to say the store has now re-opened and we thank our customers for their patience “The problem was caused by a leak from the building above We apologise for any inconvenience caused.” A CITY centre street had to be closed down after huge chunks of debris came crashing onto the street Union Street in Inverness was sealed off after masonry fell from a building Heavy chunks of the building smashed into the pavement on the busy shopping area earlier this afternoon Images show large pieces of shattered masonry scattered on the pavement Fire crews were called to the scene to inspect the roof and make sure the building was safe The area was taped off as emergency workers dealt with the incident Police Scotland has been approached for comment For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Scottish Sun Thescottishsun.co.uk is your go to destination for the best celebrity news Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thescottishsun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheScottishSun Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click here A 34-year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal in connection with the fire. A car was allegedly driven into a premises at Fairways Business Park around midnight on March 8 before the building and car were set alight. Police have now arrested and charged a 34-year-old man in connection with wilful fire-raising. He is due to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Monday and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal. Detective Inspector Caroline MacKay said: “As the investigation into this fire continues, we would like to thank the local community for their co-operation and support while we carry out our enquiries.” CCTV footage shown at Inverness Sheriff Court showed Mackay struggling with the security officers before police arrived • Drug-driver claimed he switched to go behind the wheel to keep his brother out of trouble • Son accused of throwing candle at mother’s face When taken to Burnett Road Police Station to be arrested and charged Mackay also uttered derogatory remarks towards police officers who appeared on video link from HMP Inverness pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner assault and struggling to break free and uttering derogatory remarks Mackay committed the incident while on a drug treatment and testing order which he had been given in connection with offences of theft and threatening and abusive behaviour on August 17 last year Sheriff David Harvie jailed him for 11 months Defence solicitor Patrick O’Dea said: “He does regret his behaviour.” A row after a recent break-up led to the arrest of an Inverness father-of-three who stormed into his ex-partner's house through her unlocked front door The incident occurred on the night of January 20 at a property in Temple Crescent with 39-year-old Neil Robinson shouting at the woman and threatening to punch her in the face • More court news • More crime news He had to be escorted out by another occupant of the house and the police were contacted Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told Inverness Sheriff Court that Robinson tipped a bin over outside scattering rubbish all over the street before leaving the area Rory Gowans said: "He had far too much to drink and caused this commotion for which he is truly sorry Sheriff Gary Aitken ordered Robinson to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work and banned him from entering Temple Crescent for nine months as part of a non-harassment order A BYSTANDER outside Inverness train station was punched by a drunk man Christopher Barton (34) had arrived at the train station when he had a run in with another person - not the person he ultimately assaulted Fiscal depute Martina Eastwood told Sheriff Harvie at Inverness Sheriff Court: “The complainer was just a bystander when Barton struck him to the face with a closed fist “999 was called and Barton was taken to the ground immediately.” • Son accused of throwing candle at mother’s face Sheriff David Harvie fined him £420 and ordered him to pay £500 compensation to his victim Barton’s defence solicitor Clare Russell said: “He was under the influence and has a vague recollection of the incident.” One of Inverness’s busiest streets came to a standstill on Saturday due to falling masonry Fire crews were called to Union Street shortly after 3pm after masonry fell outside Harry Gow Bakery The city centre street was cordoned off as firefighters assessed the stability of the stonework of the building Pictures taken in the area showed a large piece of masonry lying on the pavement outside the city centre bakery Masonry was left scattered across the road after falling from a great height and smashing on the walkway below A section of the pavement was cordoned off as crews dealt with the incident The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was first made aware of the incident at 3.22pm from the city’s Harbour Road fire station made their way to the scene firefighters used the aerial appliance to survey the stability of the building The stop message was received shortly after 4pm and crews left the area a short time later A 34-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a wilful fireraising at Fairways Business Park in Inverness The incident occurred shortly before midnight on Saturday Court news The 34-year-old man is due to appear at Inverness Sheriff Court on Monday. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal Detective Inspector Caroline MacKay said: “As the investigation into this fire continues A 37-year-old Inverness woman who engaged in a shoplifting spree over two months last year has been placed on a drug treatment and testing order for the next 18 months The case against Chloe McEwan, of Diriebught Court, at Inverness Sheriff Court has been deferred on multiple occasions until social workers were able to assess her as suitable for the strict anti-drug regime beauty products all from the Co-op in Nairn between May 18 and 28 She also pleaded guilty to an earlier charge of stealing alcohol from Tesco clothing and toiletries from Asda on November 24 and failing to appear for a court hearing at Inverness A city centre street has been closed to traffic and pedestrians after masonry fell off a roof and into the road Union Street was cordoned off and police and fire crews attended after the masonry plunged onto the pavement outside Harry Gows and the Old Royal Buildings at around 3.22pm on Saturday A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it had sent two appliances to the scene to inspect the roof and make sure if was safe before handing over control of the site to police Police Scotland has been approached for comment Union Street is a busy thoroughfare in the heart of Inverness with multiple bus routes using the one-way street There was no immediate word as to whether anyone had been injured by the falling masonry What caused the masonry to fall into the street was not known at the time of writing More transport news we know the value you place on trusted local journalism At The Inverness Courier we are committed to delivering the very best coverage from communities right across our area and we can only do this with the support of our readers By becoming a subscriber you not only support us in this mission including unlimited access to our website and digital editions of all our weekly newspapers Head to the subscribe page to claim this offer Use the promo code PHILIPMURRAY to get a year of unlimited digital access for just £20 - we really appreciate your support Music fans were in for a treat this weekend as a popular music festival returned to the Black Isle. An event created by local stars Peat & Diesel, the Black Isle Belter music festival made a comeback on the Black Isle Showground in Muir of Ord for its second year It saw a line up mixing local acts and bands from across the UK — including RuMac The event was also supporting local mental health charity Mikeysline The three-piece Stornoway band and founders of the event were also headliners on both nights — being their only Highland gigs this year Commenting after the event on their Facebook page they said: “Thank you all for giving us another weekend of memories and coming along to share them with us thanks to every single person who made this possible too “We've got a good break now and we'll have some new gig news for you in the near future.” An after party was also held at Inverness’ new music venue An Seomar on Church Street · READ: Peat and Diesel to hold Black Isle Belter weekend extravaganza in aid of local charities “Ridiculous” car park operators have been slammed for their “bully-boy tactics” after a disabled motorist was fined at a controversial Inverness site Father Graham Irvine has hit out at Britannia Parking which operates the car park in Rose Street Retail Park outside Home Bargains and Iceland after his daughter and her partner - who has mobility issues - were fined for not paying Mr Irvine claims that blue badge holders traditionally didn’t have to pay to park in their designated bays and that there were no warning signs to say this might have changed when his daughter and son-in-law parked there om March 10 • READ MORE: Britannia parking’s debt collectors demand £170 from Highland pensioner who never received a ticket as public anger mounts over ‘cowboy style’ operation • READ MORE: Inverness car park snares Highland councillor Sean Kennedy with fine making him feel ‘conned’ Despite being parked for only 21 minutes while they nipped into Iceland for some shopping the couple were hit with a £100 parking enforcement notice just days later for stopping in a bay without paying Mr Irvine says the fine came as quite a surprise for his daughter and son-in-law - who live elsewhere but revisit the city roughly three times a year - as they had parked at the site in the past without any issue And he says it is “ridiculous” that there were no signs at the bay to inform motorists of changes to that - arguing that it is absurd that blue badge holders are expected to cross the car park to the main terms and conditions signs to see what the current situation is “The last time they used the car park there was no issue they got out of the car and they went into Iceland without going to look at the machine to see if they had to pay - because with blue badges don't pay,” said Mr Irvine He continued: “There was nothing at the parking point the disabled bays to say you now have to pay If someone went into park and they went to pay and it was normal circumstances they're not going to go all the way across the car park with whatever mobility issues they've got to see if they have to pay now “There should be a big sign on the way in or a sign at the disabled parking bays to say 'charges apply' “They should appeal but they said if they pay by Friday to get this discount Mr Irvine says his daughter and son-in-law were not going to appeal the fine - and pay early to get a discounted penalty of £60 but he said he wanted to flag the issue so other blue badge holders don’t get caught out like they were He was also furious that blue badge holders were expected to pay as those who had limited mobility or disabled might have less money available to pay “It's just the fact it's bully boy tactics.,” he said “All it takes is a sign at the disabled bays You can't expect someone with mobility issues to pootle all the way across the car park to a pay booth or machine on the wall to see if they have to pay when they've never had to pay before there's concerns about people vacating the town centre the shops losing business and closing down People are going to go out of town where they've got adequate parking instead of risking a £100 fine for a 20 minute shop.” Britannia Parking was approached for comment We received an automated response saying they would reply within a set period of time That period elapsed on Friday morning with no response received Sign up to our newsletter Police are investigating a theft after a woman had money stolen from her shortly after she withdrew cash in Merkinch The 35-year-old female victim had just withdrawn a two-figure sum of cash from a nearby ATM when the theft took place in Grant Street at around 9.50pm on Wednesday Two young women approached her and one of them grabbed the money and they ran off Police Scotland said that one of the women was white and of slim build with long She was wearing a white top and dark-coloured trousers Constable Lucille Ritchie said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and officers are viewing CCTV footage to identify and trace those responsible “Anyone with information is asked to contact 101 quoting ‘incident number 4033 of April 30’.” More crime news Classic cars are set to delight onlookers and petrolheads alike when they travel the north Highlands for charity next month The annual Loch Ness Classic Car Tour is back again on Saturday when enthusiasts will be travelling a 160-mile route through some of the region’s most stunning landscapes Organised by the Rotary Club of Inverness Loch Ness, this year’s principal charity beneficiary will be the medical research charity DEBRA which is looking at ways to deal with the extremely painful and rare genetic skin blistering disorder Epidermolysis Bullosa - commonly known as ‘butterfly skin’ • READ MORE: PICTURES: Loch Ness Classic Car Tour covers 160-mile route around the Highlands in aid of local charities “The tour organisers are hoping to raise a sizeable donation from entrants for research into this debilitating condition,” said a spokesperson for the rotary club “Entries are building up for the tour which this year takes in a 160-mile route.” the tour sets off from there and travels north through the Black Isle and over the Struie road in Easter Ross to the Kyle of Sutherland before stopping for a lunch halt in Royal Dornoch The return leg takes in Easter Ross then over Glen Convinth and returning to Inverness along Loch Ness-side The tour will start at 10.30am and the first cars are expected back at the Ice Centre finish from about 3.30pm onwards Full information about this year’s tour, including entry and sponsorship forms, is available from the event website at www.lochnessclassiccartour.weebly.com or from event organiser Nicol Manson on 07774 695640 or by email at nicol.manson@btinternet.com “Entries will be accepted up until May 30 so there is still ample time to enter and enjoy the magnificent and spectacular scenery on the route as well as supporting a most worthy cause,” added the spokesperson Supermarket bosses have promised to reopen an Inverness city centre store "as soon as possible" after a water leak forced it to temporarily close its doors Customers looking to shop in the Co-op in Church Street on Saturday morning were greeted by a locked door and a sign in the window which read "closed temporarily; water leak" It is understood the leak is coming from a property atop the shop the supermarket giant was unable to give an immediate time for its reopening but stressed that it is looking to sort the problem as soon as possible In a statement to The Inverness Courier, the Co-op said: "Our Church Street store is temporarily closed following a leak from the building above "We apologise for any inconvenience caused and the store will re-open as soon as possible to serve the community.” More business news Footballers from Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s women’s team scaled the highest peaks on Wales England and Scotland inside 24 hours to raise money for Sophie’s Story last weekend Sophie’s Story was created in December last year after Sophie Mason was diagnosed with Batten Disease, a rare, incurable neurological condition. Over the last few months, a host of fundraisers have been held to support parents Keith and Lizzie cover equipment costs and make as many memories as they can with Sophie, who is now 23 months old. Her aunt, Karen, is the manager of Caley Thistle Women, who immediately set about planning something to show their own support for the family. They landed on the Three Peaks challenge – scaling the tallest mountains in Wales England and Scotland inside 24 hours – and made their attempt last weekend before heading up to Scafell Pike in England’s Lake District on Saturday night where the main group were met by a host of others cheering them on and joining them for the final leg Sophie’s aunt Karen reflected: “It was a huge success The girls all definitely pushed themselves through lots of pain barriers and mental barriers but it was a huge success in that we did what we aimed to do in the time limit we set and raised an incredible amount of money for Sophie and I’m sure everyone will be glad to get a bit of recovery now and having so many people joining us at Ben Nevis to give us that final push was really good as well It shows the family spirit we have amongst us The challenge was a test in many ways for the group Some had historical knee injuries that they had to battle while others became unwell during the attempt There was also simply the tiredness factor coming into play as the hiking plus travel times between peaks meant very little chance to rest and recover However, their efforts have been well rewarded, with the Go Fund Me attached to the Three Peaks challenge rapidly approaching its target of £6500. the first thought we had was to do a check on how much we had raised and it was over £6000 and still growing,” Miss Mason added and obviously it was very worthwhile doing Every one of the girls are feeling very proud of themselves and I think that’s what being part of a team is all about off the pitch we have that friendship that has been unwavering throughout all of this “From the start of planning this challenge it has shown what the girls are willing to do – not just for me “Keith put up a post saying how incredible it is that people have been so supporting “I don’t really have the words to describe the gratitude I have for all the girls and the willingness they had to put themselves through all that was amazing.” Since Caley Thistle Women completed their challenge another football connection has confirmed a new fundraiser for Sophie’s Story where dad Keith had been coaching before Sophie’s diagnosis pitting Robbie Williamson against Iain Polworth on the sidelines HEAD coach Scott Kellacher says the hard work for next season starts now as Inverness Caledonian Thistle will be looking to win promotion back to the Championship Inverness finished their League One campaign last weekend with a 2-0 victory over Montrose to end the season in seventh place Despite receiving a 15-point deduction in October after the club went into administration they still managed to finish seven points clear of the relegation zone It was revealed last week that Inverness Caledonian Thistle can still offer new deals to current players in the squad but can’t sign new players on permanent deals while still in administration However, the club could come out of administration on Thursday, May 22 when a vote is set to take place on a Company Voluntary Agreement If the vote is agreed, Alan Savage will assume control of the club after he was named as the preferred bidder for the club last month by administrators BDO Kellacher says despite the League One campaign coming to an end on Saturday he is already looking ahead to next season to put the club in the best position to mount a promotion challenge because we want to hit the ground running next season "Football has been my life since I was four years old and was kicking a ball around "I'm lucky I've got a family who understands that and lets me get on with it "We want to build this club into what it's capable of "We didn't hide the fact our aim was to stay in the league this season but we have to aim for the title next year Kellacher praised his team for what they achieved this season as Inverness Caledonian Thistle finished the League One campaign with victory over Montrose Goals from Paul Allan and Billy Mckay gave Inverness a 2-0 win at Links Park on Saturday afternoon as they finished the season in seventh place Inverness finished the season on 43 points three points clear of Montrose in eighth and seven points above Annan Athletic in the relegation play-off zone in ninth who was appointed head coach after Duncan Ferguson was made redundant after the club went into administration in October was proud of what his players achieved to survive in League One this campaign He said: "We have really good footballers within the team "I can't thank the players enough for the effort and commitment they have given us throughout the season "They have been so brave - they are young boys and it could easily have gone the other way and been counted – they have been excellent "They played with a freedom and enjoyment on their faces today The players enjoyed it and so did the fans I have a big smile on my face because I have enjoyed watching them play I give them the freedom and I tell them what I want on the training ground and they take that on the pitch more often than not.” Caley Thistle boss Scott Kellacher admits there won’t be much down-time now the season is over – as he is already putting his plans for next term in motion Saturday’s 2-0 win at Montrose – thanks to Paul Allan and Billy Mckay goals – saw Inverness complete a challenging League One campaign in seventh place When the administration-hit club were docked 15 points in October But they finished on 43 points – seven points ahead of main relegation play-off rivals Annan Athletic With would-be owner and former chairman Alan Savage seeking full approval from shareholders following his £800,000 offer for the club before May 22 Kellacher is now seeking to retain as many of his youthful squad as possible for the 2025-2026 campaign he’s getting down to the business of building his team with midfielder Adam Mackinnon the only first-team mainstay under contract “You don’t get a break in this game – but I wouldn’t have it any other way “Football has been my life since I was four years old and was kicking a ball around “I’m lucky I’ve got a family who understands that and lets me get on with it “I can’t tell you how proud I am and the staff behind the scenes pulling together “We knew even in my first game in October when we lost to Dumbarton and our fans stuck by us that day and that’s why I am over the moon for them We have done something quite remarkable this season Around 500 Inverness fans made it a great atmosphere at Links Park at the weekend as they celebrated the club’s survival, which was confirmed the week before with a 3-0 canter against champions Arbroath.  There was also a large banner with the manager’s name on it The head coach said: “I got emotional when I saw the banner “It was great to see our fans as happy as they were I couldn’t believe it – there was easily about 500 at Montrose “That’s what we want – we want a big following and have more at home like we did last week with nearly 2,500 fans “We want them to see exciting football and everyone to be part of it.” One player who won’t be back at Inverness next season in academy graduate Keith Bray The 19-year-old midfielder, who netted 11 goals this season, signed a deal with Championship side Dunfermline Athletic in January before being loaned back to ICT for their survival fight.  Kellacher praised the Isle of Lewis lad and backed Bray to excel back in the Championship – where he had limited game-time as a raw Caley Thistle talent two terms ago in terms of his attitude and everything he’s given to this team “I’ve said in the past he’s been like Graeme Shinnie when he signed a pre-contract with Aberdeen “That’s boys who realise what this club has done for them – they gave them the platform- and hopefully Keith goes on to special things “He has given everything for the club His contribution to the team has been fantastic but he’s more than capable of playing in the Championship Hundreds of struggling households across the Highlands and Islands have sought help with energy issues over the past year Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national service energyadvice.scot recorded more than 1700 gas and electricity-related complaints in the 12 months to April The Highland Council area ranked fourth in Scotland for the number of disputes Edinburgh and Glasgow saw the highest levels Advice Direct Scotland’s advisers also handled 231 cases in the Western Isles and saw significant demand in Shetland and Orkney as rising energy prices and the cost-of-living crisis put pressure on family budgets there has also been a surge in inquiries about the looming mass switch-off of Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters One in 13 cases (7.5 per cent) of the country’s total 24,768 stemmed from the Highlands and Islands the charity’s experts provided more than 350 pieces of general energy advice and addressed an additional 1,494 specific concerns across the region Billing issues were the most frequently reported problem Issues with standard meters came next at 15 per cent while smart meter problems accounted for 10.4 per cent Debt and disconnections made up 5.4 per cent The findings come as households continue to battle higher bills with regulator Ofgem recently hiking the energy price cap Concerns have also been raised about the imminent switch-off of the signal to RTS meters which are still used by tens of thousands of people across Scotland The latest UK government figures show that around 139,000 devices in Scotland were still in use as of March 7 leaving many at risk of losing heating or hot water if they do not get them replaced before June 30 Advice Direct Scotland is urging people to check their meters and contact suppliers now as part of a campaign A countdown clock has been added to its website Anyone who has not received a letter or email should contact their supplier immediately director of policy with Advice Direct Scotland said: “These figures show that the energy crisis is far from over and underscore the alarming scale of the cost-of-living crisis “As Scotland’s national energy advice service we’ve seen significant demand from people across the Highlands and Islands seeking help with bills we’ve also seen increasing concerns about the looming switch-off of RTS meters it’s crucial that anyone still using these meters contacts their supplier to avoid losing heating or hot water many people are still struggling financially “Our advisers can help with understanding energy bills and direct people to the support and benefits they’re entitled to “Anyone facing difficulties should visit www.energyadvice.scot or call 0808 196 8660.” Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has submitted an application for planning permission in principle to make way for the second and final phase of development at Inverness Campus Business news Most of the development in the proposals is for commercial floorspace with other elements including hotel and academic space The application also covers associated infrastructure HIE’s application is for permission to establish infrastructure to create serviced plots for sale to developers 27 are included in the Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport This allows eligible companies locating there to benefit from a range of tax incentives It also creates opportunities for the campus to support industries such as the new renewable energy sector to complement the established life sciences cluster HIE has been developing Inverness Campus since 2007 with construction starting in 2013 The agency’s initial £25m investment in the project has attracted more than £180m of further development to create a high-quality collaborative environment that supports 1,200 jobs across public and private sectors Since its opening in 2015 the campus has grown into a world-class business location and is now home to 16 commercial enterprises as well as organisations such as UHI An updated masterplan for the remaining undeveloped area of the site was drafted by Turnberry on HIE’s behalf and based on the vision set out in the original design concept This was followed by public consultation in January and February to give local people the opportunity to help finalise the masterplan HIE’s director of strategic projects said: “We’re very pleased to have got to this important stage in the development of Inverness Campus “We’d like to thank everyone who took the time to examine the draft masterplan and provide feedback to help inform the planning application.” After helping keep Caley Thistle in League One Keith Bray will recharge on the golf course and think about making the cut at Dunfermline Athletic The talented 19-year-old full-back turned midfielder was watched by Pars boss Neil Lennon on Saturday as Inverness completed their League One season with a 2-0 win at Montrose to end with 43 points.  The administration-hit club, who were docked 15 points in October, rallied when cast adrift and ended the campaign in seventh place, seven points in front of ninth-placed Annan Athletic who now play Elgin City in the play-offs this week ICT’s place in next season’s League One was confirmed after last week’s impressive 3-0 victory over champions Arbroath.  they kicked off at -3 points after what had already been a tough start in terms of results under Duncan Ferguson In the winter window, Bray, who comes from the Isle of Lewis village Tong, signed a four-and-a-half year deal with Dunfermline who won their own survival battle to remain in the second tier both clubs agreed to loan Bray back to the Caley Jags to complete the campaign Ex-Celtic and Hibs boss Lennon wasn’t in charge of the Pars when Bray was snapped up so he got a chance to see Bray for himself at the weekend something the midfielder wasn’t aware of until his team-mates told him in the changing room despite what should be an exciting future in Fife his focus remained on helping the Highlanders stave off chasers Annan He said: “I will take a few weeks off There will be a lot of golf played and I’ve a wee trip to Greece planned “Then I will come back pre-season and give it my best shot and get right back at it with Dunfermline “When the loan move back happened in January I wanted to show Caley Thistle full respect My sole purpose was to help keep this club in the division was also backed by many friends and family for his final game in Inverness colours at Links Park And the academy graduate summed up his emotions to The Press and Journal at full-time He said: “I didn’t know how I would feel after the final whistle – I was a wee bit emotional but I’m just really happy we’ve ended the season the way it did “We’ve ended on a positive note the club has stayed in the division and can now stay full-time next year but to finish seven points away from ninth place is remarkable given how far behind we were “We’ve been outstanding this season and no one can say otherwise It couldn’t have happened without the work from every single person at the club from the backroom staff to every player in the squad “Even the injured players have been encouraging us all from the sidelines who chipped in with goals initially from a right-back role as 11 goals in all competitions over 37 games highlighted He added: “I wasn’t expecting to score as many goals this season but it is good to know I can come up with some goals which is a target I can aim for in the future “The only way you’re going to get better is by playing games and I’ve been really happy with my game-time this season “I am really happy with how the season has gone and that I was able to contribute with goals.” Caley Thistle boss Scott Kellacher thanked his “brave” players after they rounded off their survival season with a 2-0 League One win at Montrose The Inverness were club plunged into administration and hit with a 15-point deduction in October but Kellacher replaced Duncan Ferguson and has guided the largely young side to 14 wins in 25 games Last week’s 3-0 victory over champions Arbroath kept them safe and this final result meant they finished seventh Kelty Hearts’ 2-1 victory over Alloa prevented the Highlanders from rounding off the most testing term in sixth position With only a five-point deduction at the start of next season, all eyes will be on ICT to aim for the title, which was spoken about by Kellacher last week. Goals from Paul Allan and Billy Mckay earned the visitors maximum points at Links Park in what was a commanding performance on the whole with plenty of easy-on-the-eye play to cheer their fans Kellacher said: “The performance was really good “We have really good footballers within the team “I can’t thank the players enough for the effort and commitment they have given us throughout the season “They have been so brave – they are young boys and been counted – they have been excellent “They played with a freedom and enjoyment on their faces “We wanted to enjoy it and put on a performance To finish clear of main relegation rivals Annan who play off against League Two fourth-placed Elgin City next week He said: “It didn’t feel comfortable a few weeks ago but the boys stuck with it and remained focused “All credit goes to the players and fans The way the club has pulled together is what we were wanting “We want to build this club into what it’s capable of “We didn’t hide the fact our aim was to stay in the league this season “It was hard with the 15-point deduction “We want to get back to the top leagues “I have a big smile on my face because I have enjoyed watching them play I give them the freedom and I tell them what I want on the training ground and they take that on the pitch more often than not.” Kellacher now plans to talk contracts with players while Alan Savage’s £800,000 offer for the club should be decided later this month The main team news for Inverness was between the posts with number one Musa Dibaga out for three months with a torn hamstring That meant a return on an emergency loan for Celtic B keeper Marcus Gill for a third successive game The sole change from last week was James Nolan replacing Matthew Strachan Gill was the first keeper called into action when he superbly pushed away a net-bound Aidan Quinn shot after Graham Webster’s drive was initially blocked Inverness took time to find an attacking mode but they were aided by Montrose’s inability to clear their lines on 19 minutes and Charlie Gilmour was not far off the mark with a drive turned wide by Keir Bertie for a corner Keith Bray, who goes to Dunfermline Athletic in the Championship this summer after being loaned back following his signing in January was keen to add to his 11 ICT goals this term with Ryan Matthews on hand to deny him twice in quick succession Allan, who scored two goals to win here late in December then drew a decent save from Matthews from a 20-yard free-kick just before Kieran Freeman shot just wide at the other end Inverness nudged in front when Mckay was picked out on the left side of the box and his cut-back was slotted home from close range from Allan which the keeper saved just after the break Then Mckay had an effort hooked off the line as ICT pressed for a killer second goal in front of the vocal away fans The points were as good as in the bag on the hour mark though as Mckay lashed a searing 20-yarder into the bottom right-hand corner after Bray lined him up The last chance came late on when Gill got down to divert a Webster shot wide for a corner HEAD coach Scott Kellacher praised his team for what they achieved this season as Inverness Caledonian Thistle finished the League One campaign with victory over Montrose Goals from Paul Allan and Billy Mckay gave Inverness a 2-0 win at Links Park on Saturday afternoon as they finished the season in seventh place Kellacher, who was appointed head coach after Duncan Ferguson was made redundant after the club went into administration in October and been counted - they have been excellent Kellacher said in a press conference earlier this week the club can offer contracts to current players despite still being in administration Inverness hope to come out of administration if the Company Voluntary Agreement is voted for on Thursday Kellacher says he is now looking to next season on how to make Caley Thistle capable of challenging for the League One title and being in contention of promotion back to the Championship He said: "It didn't feel comfortable a few weeks ago "I have a big smile on my face because I have enjoyed watching them play Home   Sport   Football A decade of providing football at a leisurely pace The group travelled almost the length of the UK to scale the highest mountains in Wales No rest for head coach despite season ending last weekend A Nairn women’s football team is back in action after returning from a break season Teenager proud to have helped both clubs achieve objectives Caley Thistle win final game of the season Inverness finish their 2024/25 season away at Montrose this weekend and victory could be worth thousands to the Highland capital club Interim chief executive hails achievement of staying up The club’s captain is one of a number of players due to see their contracts expire at the end of this season There had been a question mark over whether ICT could offer contract extensions to the players already at the club while in administration Number of cup competitions is going up from two to three Over 400 appearances for the club as a player He wants to score even more goals next season Consultation could take place about lower leagues in Scotland Teams from across the north division of the Highland League under-18s have completed their campaigns for 2024-25 he has racked up a good number of appearances for the Highland League outfit over the last couple of years A child day care facility on the Black Isle has received a slightly mixed response from inspectors following their latest visit The North Kessock Out of School Club, which is located within the village primary school was rated as good in two out of four assessment areas - for its "care play and learning" as well as for its staff team - and received an "adequate" for its setting but was handed a "weak" for its leadership The scores were issued by the Care Inspectorate following an unannounced inspection in March They are issued on a sliding scale out of six with six being "excellent" and one being "unsatisfactory" A "good" is awarded when strengths and positives "clearly outweighed areas for improvement" the inspectors said: "Children experienced warm nurturing interactions from staff who knew them well Children described staff as 'fun' and shared that staff often asked them what they would like to do "We observed positive interactions between staff and children which were fun and playful This demonstrated the positive relationships they had developed Almost all families were happy with the care and support their children received" They added that these positive relationships "helped children feel valued and secure" and continued: "Children were able to follow their own interests and had choice and independence within the play activities available "Children benefited from play experiences which supported their creativity." the report highlighted some areas for improvement: "Infection prevention and control procedures were inconsistent." And they continued: "Children's safety was significantly compromised as actions to address ineffective [child] collection procedures were not implemented effectively." They recommended that: "robust quality assurance processes should be developed to support the improvement of the service" Two requirements for improvement were made The first of these was to implement "effective systems to prevent children leaving the service unaccompanied" which includes "ensuring robust procedures are in place for the collection of all children" inspectors said: "Following a serious incident where a child had previously failed to arrive at the service at collection time the service had taken some action to minimise risks and keep children safe This included reviewing the collection procedures between the school and out-of-school club the changes implemented were not always effective There was a lack of understanding from staff members around implementing effective collection procedures for children one child did not arrive at a designated collection point and another child failed to arrive at the service This had the potential to compromise children's safety." A second requirement was also made for "clear and effective plans" to be put in place "for maintaining and improving the service" and for the service to ensure the manager who also runs two other out-of-school clubs "effectively monitors the work of each member of staff and the service as a whole" inspectors also added that “staff told us they felt supported by the manager and were confident to share ideas and make suggestions for improvements” They also noted that the staff team were good despite issues within the wider out-of-school care sector as a whole when it came to recruitment and retention Inverness secured victory in their final game of the season with victory over Montrose at Links Park Goals from Paul Allan and Billy Mckay ensured Inverness finished the season with a win which looks set for them to finish the campaign in seventh place Inverness secured safety in League One last week with a 3-0 win over Arbroath at the Caledonian Stadium putting them four points clear of the relegation zone with one game remaining. Inverness now wait to discover if they can move out of administration on Thursday, May 22 as a vote on a company voluntary agreement will take place but Inverness will start next season in League One on -5 points due to SPFL rules on clubs going into administration Head coach Scott Kellacher confirmed in a press conference on Thursday that the club are free to offer current players contracts, but can’t sign new players until coming out of administration Interim chief executive Charlie Christie confirmed earlier this year 75 per cent of the enitre squad are out of contract this summer Montrose had the first real chance of the match when Graham Webster was left unchallenged from eight yards and his shot was heading towards the bottom left corner. But his shot was parried away by Marcus Gill. Caley Thistle’s first real chance of the match came midway through the first half when Keith Bray, who played his final game for the club before moving to Dunfermline Athletic, beat the offside trap and charged towards goal But he shot directly at Montrose goalkeeper Ross Matthews who gathered the ball comfortably Inverness looked to pile on the pressure and came close again when they were awarded a free-kick at the edge of the box Allan, who scored twice in Caley Thistle’s 3-2 win at Montrose in December saw his free kick get around the wall and had to be parried away by Matthews to be denied finding the net Inverness went close again when Bray saw his shot blocked by Matthew and the ball fell to Mckay who from the edge of the box lobbed the ball towards goal which had to be headed off the line by Webster Montrose should have taken the lead just before half time when Gill parried Paul Watson’s free-kick straight into the path of former Inverness player Matheus Machado. But from six-yards out he blasted the ball over the bar Inverness took the lead scored on the stroke of half time as Billy Mckay sent a ball into the box to find Allan who fired home from close range Inverness doubled their advantage in the 57th minute when Mckay was left unchallenged 12-yards from goal fired a low drive into the bottom right corner of the net The final half hour petered out as both teams appeared content to settle for the 2-0 scoreline Although Graham Webster came close to pulling one back for Montrose when his long range effort was well saved by Gill A Co-op store in Inverness was forced to close on Saturday due to a water leak A sign was put up on the doors of the Church Street shop to say it was shut A Co-op spokesperson said the leak was coming from the building above The spokesperson said on Saturday: “Our Church Street store is temporarily closed following a leak from the building above “We apologise for any inconvenience caused and the store will re-open as quickly as possible.” Police have attended a crash on a busy Inverness street Emergency services rushed to a crash on Kenneth Street at around 7pm on Monday The road closed between Telford Street roundabout and Tomnahurich Street in both directions It is unknown how many vehicles were involved in the collision Police Scotland have been contacted for comment PORTLAND A have been the dominant force in Inverness darts for over two decades as they celebrated winning another league title this season They claimed the Inverness Winter Darts A League title and also the Supreme Cup last week to round off another successful campaign Their excellent campaign comes after last year, when for the first time in 22 years, they failed to win the Inverness Winter A League title when Nairn outfit Seaforth Club were crowned champions in the 2023/24 season winning the league title by three points and also beat Still Game 7-3 in the final at the Clachnaharry Inn on Thursday Club captain Gordon Morison (61) admitted failing to win the league for the first time in over two decades last season was hard to take But he praised his team for how they responded this campaign to regain the title and are back on top of the Inverness darts scene He said: “We were on a 22-year run winning the league and then we lost it last year to Seaforth Club “That was probably the best thing that happened to us as the competition was getting stale “Losing the league title last season gave us a new lease of life and the fight was in the team to win it back It was the foot up the backside our players probably needed It was another close season with the Seaforth “Winning the Supreme Cup was the icing on the cake Last year was probably our worst ever year but to win both trophies shows the character of the boys “Previously we maybe thought that we could turn up and win but that was not the case last year But we did great to win both competitions this season.” Morison has played in the Inverness Darts League for 47 years starting with his dad’s pub team the Stratton Lodge in Culloden when he was 14 In his first season playing competitive darts he reached the semi final of the Inverness Singles when over 360 entries played in the competition Since then he has won around 30 league titles during his career and says the quality that has been in the Portland A team over the years has led to their success. They include current Scotland internationalist Nicky Denoon who travels from Helmsdale in Sutherland to play for the team Morison said: “We have players like Nicky who first joined the team 15 years ago and look how well he is doing now “I was fortunate to get seven caps for Scotland as well Craig Quinn from Elgin and Steve Mitchell from Invergordon who have all played for Scotland but that is what motivates me and the team to keep going and winning the top two or three teams are close in terms of quality “Whereas we are consistent throughout the season the other teams tend to take points off of each other which tends to be their downfall.” Portland A are now turning their attention to defending their Inverness Summer Darts League title with the season beginning on Thursday Morison says while they are confident they can retain their title is also pleased with the increased number of teams taking part in the competition this summer He says the increase in teams is down to the influence of current PDC world darts champion Luke Litter saying his success is encouraging more youngsters to get involved in the sport He said: “We are encouraging players to take up the game and with the Luke Litter affect there are young guys coming through and it is scary how good they are In the Summer League there are an extra four teams in the league taking part this year “In previous years there has been a trend for less pub teams in some sports I remember when there was 40 darts teams in the league but darts is bucking the trend where the number of teams are going back up more teams are entered into the league and it is great the sport is growing with the influence of just one man.” He added: “We are defending the Inverness Summer League title and are confident we can win it again You need a decent squad to win a summer league to combat with holidays and we are fortunate to have that.” Read: Inverness player is set to be honoured and remembered with tournament to take place in his memory.